What am I missing out on if I buy a 990

WIshane · Nov 6, 2006

I am fairly new to the CUT world I have had interest for years but have only recently gotten very serious about buying one. For starters I have a home sitiuated on 40 wooded acres and I heat my home and shop with a outdoor wood burner. I currently use my 64" ford 4000 in the woods for hauling approx. 8ft logs and loading them into a hydraulic dump trailer and I use my tractor to haul the trailer to the house. I getting tired of being broke down and the issues that you have with an old tractor. Plus I want to get in to some spots that I do not think the old 4000 can get into I also want the option of a Backhoe down the line. What I need is a 4wd tractor that can pick-up good sized logs and can do some trail work driveway work, plant trees, remove stumps and etc. On some of the other discussions some of the fine folks recommended the 990 and said it was a basic model. What am I missing on the 990 that I could get with some of the other machines? Would i really need some of these things for what I am doing I would prefer to do this only one if you know what I mean Thanks in advance!

jcmseven · Nov 6, 2006

Shane,

Basically, you are only really missing out on the creature comforts. You are getting a good tractor with plenty of power to do heavy work. It will be durable and would serve you well. One sit down on it v. a 4000 series machine answers your question, though. The 990 has a collar shift manual, which is a very simple tranny, but durable and it has good power transfer. You also have a more cramped compartment and I think (not sure) a little reduction in hydraulics. To me, the 990 is a great tractor for limited use (not that it does not last, just that if you need something basic to use occasionally), wide open spaces, or for someone who wants a powerful, capable tractor that does not cost a lot per horsepower. I have thought about getting a 790 as a complement to my 3720 on several occasions, but thought that might be wasteful, so I did not. Such machines are built the "way they used to be." I think the 990 is a great machine. Having had the bells and whistles, I doubt I would be happy with one myself, but my neighbor, who could buy any tractor (or about anything) he wanted--loves his. He traded his old collar shift Massey for one, and so the shifting does not bother him. He loves the power, stability and since he mows about 10 acres, he loves it for mowing wide open spaces. He is slick with shifting and so it is hard to tell with him that he does not have a powerreverser tranny. I think you would like the machine, just do not test drive a 4000 series.

John M

tarscraper · Nov 6, 2006

The 990 is a great machine. Very happy with mine. I added the 8B backhoe as well.

lgcivttu · Nov 7, 2006

I'd look at a 5103 before I bought a 990. I know it's a bigger than what you are looking for, but for picking up larger objects it would be superior. Not to mention a lot more comfortable. Dollar for dollar it's a better value.

rdln · Nov 7, 2006

looking at the jd website there is about a $5000 list price diff. The 4120's hydraulic performance #s blow away the 990 and I dont know why. The 1070/970 3pt lift capacities used to be higher. I think JD feels they have to offer an economy model but dont want to make look as good as the higher margin cupholder tractors.

Champy · Nov 7, 2006

Cannot compare the 5103 (2WD) pricing to the 990 (MFWD). Bigger (HP) may not be the answer. I too am looking at a JD990 and will be making that purchase shortly. Best no-frills tractor for MY money (and yes there are others). I don't mind a standard trany; and it fits my needs well. Sure I would probably like a hydro, but for my light duty usage the 990 was a better choice. My other biggest driver to this decision is that I have found the JD dealer to be a better support resource.

Ledgemere Farm · Nov 7, 2006

A couple of years ago, my brother was in your situation. He ended up buying the 5105 only because he wanted to haul a hay baler. The 990 is an excellent machine and if you are driving an old 4000, the 990 will be a step up in comfort. The 990 will do everything you do with that old FORD and more.

wolc123 · Nov 7, 2006

Like rdln said, you have significantly less lift capacity in both weight and height with the 990 compared to the 4120. The price difference is around $3000. I was quite willing to absorb that cost to get the increased lift capacity and it didnt hurt that the 4120 has the turbocharged JD powertech engine versus the Yanmar in the 990. I am not saying the Yanmar is bad but I drive Fords and Chevys and like to support American workers as much as I can. Some have said that the JD-Yanmar connection may be phased out and if you look to keep your tractor a long time, the powertech may be the better choice for future dealer support. Just some things to think about. $3000 is a lot of money but not so bad if you will be keeping the tractor a long time. If you are going to be trailering or mowing lawns, then the lighter tractor weight might tip the scale back to the 990, but for most of the tasks you list, the heavier weight of the 4120 is an asset.

Champy · Nov 7, 2006

QUOTE (wolc123) "Like rdln said, you have significantly less lift capacity in both weight and height with the 990 compared to the 4120. The price difference is around $3000. I was quite willing to absorb that cost"

Actual pricing from the JD Build It website tool shows the price difference for just the tractors at list is not about $3000 but is closer to $5,550 - add in the respective front end loaders and the difference goes up to $5,896.

I did not feel that the difference in lift capacity (for my specific needs) warranted an additional $6k to move up from the 990 to a 4120

FYI -
JD 990.......$16.559.........300CX FEL......$3924
JD 4120.....$22,109.........400X FEL........$4270